Tonto Basin Rider In College National Finals Rodeo

Seth Seidel of Tonto Basin has qualified to compete in the saddle bronc riding event at the 2006 College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in Casper, Wyo. This is the first trip to nationals for Seidel, a freshman at Cochise Community College.

Every June, the best college cowboys and cowgirls from the United States and Canada travel to Casper in search of national titles. These superb athletes compete in one or more of the nine traditional rodeo events: saddle bronc, bareback, bull riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, barrel racing, breakaway roping, and goat tying. The students also compete for over $200,000 in scholarships from the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. Scholarship Awards Program.

The 2006 CNFR takes place June 11-17 in the Casper Events Center.

Saturday's championship round will be televised later this summer on the College Sports Television Network. Check your local listings for times.

The CNFR is sponsored by the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA). For more information about the exciting sport of college rodeo, please contact the NIRA's national office at (509) 529-4402.